What year was the 904L Sub launched?

[Tri-National-Man]

When was the change over and can you tell the difference between the two ?

[Juggernaut]

Yeah, I'd like to know as well....did all the SS models get 904L at the same time?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Tri-National-Man

When was the change over and can you tell the difference between the two ?

Well it was from the ref 168000 Sub and around 1987 that the case ring was starting to be made from 904L.But whether 316L or 904L the average Rolex wearer would not notice any real difference. As the days of the Rolex tool watch are long gone now, most Rolex watches today get a very pampered life, might as well make them from glass..

[RoleXavier]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well it was from the ref 168000 Sub and around 1987 that the case ring was starting to be made from 904L.But whether 316L or 904L the average Rolex wearer would not notice any real difference. As the days of the Rolex tool watch are long gone now, most Rolex watches today get a very pampered life, might as well make them from glass..

Nothing more, nothing less! You said it all Padi!

[austinnh]

Originally Posted by padi56

might as well make them from glass..

Or ceramic...

[toph]

Originally Posted by austinnh

Or ceramic...

or gold

[padi56]

Originally Posted by austinnh

Or ceramic...

Doubt if that would be a good idea although brands like Rado have been doing it quite well since the mid 1960s.But today most brands seems to be jumping on the ceramic bandwaggon perhaps its a fashion thing.

Originally Posted by toph

or gold

Well they already make them from gold

[jnkay]

When did Rolex start making the bracelets from 904? Was that with the introduction of the new supercase models?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by jnkay

When did Rolex start making the bracelets from 904? Was that with the introduction of the new supercase models?

Well that was when they started to advertise it,but in reality its little more than a brag factor.As today all the major brands use 316L as far as I know only two brands use 904L for watches.Chemically there is not a lot of difference between 904L and 316L.The main difference between 316L over 904L it has slightly more Molybdenum(Mo)approx 2% more, approx 1-2% more Crome(Cr), 1% more copper(Cu) and approx 10% more nickel and thats it.And there is nothing magical about 904L s.steel it was first introduced for pipes and containers that carry high acids like sulphuric and most certainly not for the watch or jewellery trade.